Tag: Judging
5 Tips for a Great Level 2 Vault
How to Do the Best Level 5 Beam Routine 2022
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes. Here comes the toughest compulsory level of all: Level 5. The routines have more skills in them, and the skills are more challenging. The skills in this level are great for progressing toward the optional levels. Some of these skills can be used […]
Tips and Resources to Boost Your Level 6/7 Vault Score
This post was originally published February 10, 2020, and was updated August 29, 2020, August 29, 2021, August 19, 2022, and July 7, 2023. If you’ve been at a Level 6 or 7 gymnastics meet recently, no doubt you’ve seen the new vault setup. Gymnasts now vault from the table onto a mat stack, performing […]
How to Perform the Best Level 4 Beam Routine
How to Do the Best Level 3 Beam Routine 2022
What makes a great compulsory beam routine? It turns out, there are several components to it. I’ve been judging Level 3 beam routines for over 20 years (gosh, can that even be true?). Although the routines have changed a few times, many things have stayed the same. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the […]
Xcel Floor: How to Score Big
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. This is the final article in the Xcel series. I’m excited to talk about floor, one of my favorite events, and to share the most recent updates. If you’ve read the vault, bars, and beam articles, you know that […]
Xcel Beam: How To Score Big
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. Xcel beam routines – what are the judges looking for? Well, it’s a bit different at each division, but there are definitely some common themes. The best beam routines display confidence, good form, and good body posture. This is […]
Xcel Bars: Platinum and Diamond
This post has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. What’s the best way to get my Xcel Platinum bars score up? How about Xcel Diamond? There are many more considerations in these divisions, compared with Bronze, Silver, and Gold. And of course, there are intricacies specific to each […]
6 General Deductions You’re Probably Getting
What are the “intangibles” that can elevate your routine to the top? Every optional gymnastics routine is evaluated, at the end, on several general categories. These categories can result in general deductions for the routine, if there are deficits in these areas. Most routines receive a deduction in at least one of these areas. But […]
